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Our take: Obama should speak at Gettysburg during battle anniversary next year

Updated:
05/31/2012 01:52:23 PM EDT

Assorted thoughts on assorted subjects:

Speech: Should the president speak in Gettysburg next year on the 150th anniversary of that town's famous battle?

Of course!

The Gettysburg Address was a great moment in presidential history - not to mention, obviously, history itself. It is "altogether fitting and proper" that the President of the United States should speak on the anniversary of the battle.

But of course, we don't know who the president will be in July 2013. Mr. Obama? Mr. Romney? Some surprise third option?

Whoever occupies the Oval Office should come to Gettysburg and speak next year.

But a petition circulating on the White House website urging President Obama to commit to speaking next summer also seems like a good idea - whether he's president at the time or not.

Many have noted strong links between President Lincoln and President Obama: Both from Illinois. President Lincoln ended slavery, making it possible for America to elect its first black president (a mere 145 years later).

Yes, Mr. Obama (also known as a great orator) has something to add to 150th anniversary of that horrific battle. He should commit to speaking, whether he wins re-election in November or not.

Hold your fire: Here we go again with more "stand your ground" nonsense.

Last year the state Legislature passed a new law sponsored by state Rep. Scott Perry, R-Carroll Township, that allows Pennsylvanians to use deadly force to protect themselves when they feel threatened - even outside the "castles" known as the home or office.

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Many have rightly worried the law will encourage people to pack heat and pull it at slight provocations.

A recent incident in Conewago Township might be an example where pulling a gun would be an overreaction.

One man who said he was looking for his property line apparently wandered onto his neighbor's property, prompting a heated exchange.

According to police, each man spat upon the other. One man allegedly pushed the other, who pulled out a gun.

Both have been charged with various offenses - and the man who told a reporter he pulled a gun was charged with simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, criminal trespass and harassment. He told a reporter he pulled the gun in self-defense because he felt threatened.

Being spat upon and pushed is certainly upsetting - but enough so to bring a gun into play?

Obviously, people have Second Amendment rights and a right to protect themselves. But please, please think twice about walking around with a loaded gun - and think three or four times before pulling it.

Thank goodness, there was no tragedy in this case - the gun was not fired.

But so often guns can turn minor disputes into tragic, life-destroying events.